At 8.30 AM, our driver and representative will pick you up to depart forVladimir by car or mini-van. Vladimir is located about 2-3 hours’ drive from Moscow. 
Arrival in Vladimir. 
Lunch at the local restaurant (included). 

Panoramic city tour. During the city tour you will become acquainted with the main highlights of the city. The first stop is the Assumption Cathedral, a unique monument of the white-stone architecture of Vladimir. The cathedral was built in the middle of the XII century byPrince Andrei Bogolyubsky as the main church of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality. World-famous frescoes by Andrei Rublev are preserved there. You will then proceed to the small, one-domed cathedral of St. Dmitry, built in the beginning of the XII century by Prince Vsevolod as his palace church. The cathedral´s interior still features frescoes of the XII century. 

You will also visit the Golden Gates - considered to be the door to Vladimir built in the early XII century by Prince Andrei Bogolubsky. In ancient times they served as the main military tower of the fortress. 

We will also visit the Museum of Crystal, lacquer miniatures and embroidery. It possesses an amazing collection of traditional Russian handicrafts and folk art, lacquer miniature papier-mâché boxes, embroidery, rock crystal and glass pieces. 

Excursion to Bogolyubovo, the residence of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky built between 1158 and 1165 at the mouth of the Nerl River. Andrei spent 17 years of his reign here until his murder in 1174. Russian Orthodox Christians believe that Bogolyubovo was founded on the spot where Andrei Bogolyubsky saw a vision of the Virgin Mary who appeared to him in a dream-like vision holding a scroll in Her right hand, and commanded him to build a church and monastery on the place of the vision. On this spot the Church of the Intercession of Neri was constructed. Today the church is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Transfer to Suzdal. Check into hotel.
Dinner at the restaurant of the hotel (included)

A little information on Vladimir. There is a dispute about the founding date of the city, either 990 or 1108 but regardless, the city’s most significant events occurred during the 12 century. Under Yuri Dolgoruky´s son, Andrei Bogolyubsky (1157-1175), Vladimir prospered becoming the center of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality. The city’s Golden Age is considered to be from the early 12th century until the Mongol invasion in 1237 during which the Golden Gates and the Cathedral of the Assumption were constructed. The architecture of Vladimir’s white stone cathedrals, towers, and palaces is unique and unlike other buildings in Russia, their exterior was elaborately carved with high relief stone sculptures. The decline of Vladimir began when it was attacked and overrun by the Mongol-Tatars in 1238. A great fire destroyed 32 limestone buildings on the first day alone, while the grand prince and all his family perished in a church where they sought refuge from the fire. The bishop of Vladimir managed to escape. Vladimir never fully recovered but from 1299 to 1325, the city was seat of the metropolitans of Kiev and All Rus until the see was moved to Moscow.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken on a city tour of Suzdal, often called the Russian Mecca. It is just 32 km from Vladimir. Suzdal is amazingly tranquil and beautiful with its numerous churches, wooden houses, bird songs and the ringing of bells throughout the day. 

A sightseeing tour will take you to the oldest part of the Kremlin, the heart of Suzdal. Specialists believe the Kremlin dates back to the X century and first appeared in the chronicles in 1024. On its territory you will admire the Cathedral of the Nativity, dating back to the beginning of the XIII century, the largest relic of which is the Golden Gates. The next stop will be to the Archbishops´ Chambers, a large architectural masterpiece that took several centuries to be built. It houses a unique collection of historical and archaeological objects, including the Cross-Vaulted Chamber. 

The open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture recreates the life and traditions of the people of Suzdal in the XVIII–XIX century. The ensemble includes churches, log houses and other structures. 

* During the low season the museum of Wooden Architecture will be substituted with the Spaso-Yevfimievsky Monastery of Our Savior. 

Lunch at the local restaurant (included) 
Free time for shopping 
Dinner at the hotel restaurant (included)

Suzdal dates back to 1024. In its early history it was the capital of several principalities and later on became a important religious center. The town is full of churches and at one point in its history had 40 churches for approximately 400 families. Today the town only has a population of around 10,000 and has retained its country village feel with many of the roads remaining unpaved and livestock roaming the streets. The atmosphere is extremely pleasant due to its rustic, country feel combined with its medieval monuments. In short, Suzdal is an extremely special place and we are certain that you will enjoy your time there.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Kostroma
Lunch at the local restaurant (included)

Welcome to Kostroma. After lunch you will have a city tour which will take you to the five-domed Epiphany Cathedral that was the first stone edifice in the city. You will then visit the Ipatievsky Monastery and admire the frescoes at the Trinity Cathedral painted by the famous Kostroma master, Guri Nikitin and his team of expert icon-painters. 

Transfer to Yaroslavl. The ancient Russian town of Yaroslavl stands on a high, steep bank of the Volga river surrounded by boundless forests. 
Check into hotel 
Dinner at the restaurant of the hotel (included)

Kostroma is located at the confluence of the Volga and Kostroma Rivers. It was founded in the 13th century and has played a major role in Russian history. After being destroyed by the Mongols in 1238 it became a small principality under the leadership of Prince Vasily the Drunkard the brother of the Russian hero Alexander Nevsky. In the early 17th century, the young Mikhail Romanov who was living at the time at the Ipatiev Monastery was offered the Russian throne – thus beginning theRomanov Dynasty and ending the Time of Troubles. From that time on, the Romanov’s always had a special connection to the city and played an important role in its development. Kostroma was frequently visited by the Romanov family including the last Russian Tsar, Nicolas II. The city’s most prominent landmarks are the Ipatiev Monastery, the Trinity Cathedral, the local market and a museum of wooden architecture and monuments.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will go on a city tour with a visit to theSavior Transfiguration Monastery and the Church of Elijah the Prophet*.

*During the low season the Church of Elijah the Prophet will be substituted with the Icon Museum at the Prior´s chambers. 

Yaroslavl: Stretching for 18 miles on both banks of the Volga, Yaroslavl is an important Volga port with a population of 600,000. It was founded in the 1010 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise. It was destroyed by the Tatars in the 13th and 14th centuries but then restored and rebuilt and by the 17th century it had become Russia’s second largest city after Moscow and an important cultural and political center. Today, Yaroslavl retains many noteworthy monuments of its colorful past. Of special interest is the magnificent 13th century Spassky(Savior) Monastery ensemble, a group of majestic 17th century cathedrals, an elegant rotunda and remnants of an ancient trading center. The churches of St. Nicholas and Elijah the Prophet have some of the Golden Ring´s most impressive frescoes. 

Lunch at the local restaurant (included) 
Free time 
Dinner at the hotel restaurant (included)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Rostov Veliky. 
Rostov Veliky (Rostov the Great) is located on the shores of Lake Nero and is one of the oldest towns in Russia, dating back to 862 AD. You will go on a city tour with visit to the Kremlin and the Museum of Finift (enamel painting). 

A little information on Rostov Veliky. It is speculated that Rostov was an important Viking trade settlement along the Volga trade route. First mentioned in 862 Rostov was already quite important and by the 13th century, Rostov became capital city of one of the most prominent Russian principalities. However in 1474 it was incorporated into Muscovy. Rostov has always been an extremely important ecclesiastic center for theOrthodox Church. From 988 it was the see of one of Russia’s first bishoprics. In the 14th century, the bishops of Rostov became archbishops and in the 16th century metropolitans. Rostov was sacked by the Mongols in the 13th and 14th centuries and invaded by the Poles in 1608. The city also saw fierce combat during WWII. 

Transfer to Pereslavl Zalessky.
Lunch at the local restaurant (included)

During the short visit to Pereslavl Zalessky you will have some time to walk on the Red Square, admire Transfiguration Cathedral and take some pictures. 

Pereslavl-Zalessky was founded in 1152 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. In 1175–1302, the town was the center of the Principality of Pereslavl and in 1302, the town became a part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Pereslavl-Zalessky had been devastated numerous times by the Mongols between the mid-13th century and the early 15th century and was also invaded by the Poles in 1611.

Transfer to Sergiev Posad. Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. Our tour starts with the Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra), built in the first half of the 1340s by the son of Rostov Boyar, Sergius of Radonezh, who remains one the most venerated saints in Russia. The monastery includes more than fifty edifices constructed by Moscow, Pskov and Yaroslavl craftsmen. In 1993 it was entered into the UNESCO World Heritage list. The History and Art museum within the walls of the monastery contains a rich collection of old Russian paintings and various works of art dating from the 14th thru 17th centuries. The collection includes over 120,000 items: ancient icons, medieval manuscripts and old printed books, icon and ornamental embroideries, church utensils, articles of gold and silver, paintings, engravings, folk and contemporary art. Sergiev Posad is also famous for being home to the world´s first matryoshka doll. 

At around 5:00 PM, you will head back to Moscow. At this point we will say goodbye to the Golden Ring one of the most beautiful and interesting areas in Russia and Eastern Europe full of history, art, culture and legend. We hope to welcome you back to Russia sometime in the future. Do Svidaniya or until we meet again!